Bettystown Cllr speaks out on misogyny after online abuse

Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan has spoken out strongly about misogyny in politics after being subjected to a wave of abusive and gendered comments on social media for raising concerns about coastal erosion and public safety along the Laytown–Bettystown coastline.

In a post shared online, the local said she woke to more than 100 hostile comments after highlighting what she described as a serious public safety issue.

“Misogyny in politics and on social media isn’t just disgusting it’s dangerous,” she said. “It chips away at women’s confidence, safety and sense of belonging in public life. It sends a message that when women speak up, they will be punished for it.”

Cllr Tolan said the abuse directed at women in politics is often relentless and goes beyond ordinary criticism.

“It’s not just the criticism it’s the targeted, gendered hostility meant to remind women that their presence in power is still being questioned,” she said.

She said social media has intensified the scale and impact of such attacks.

“Online, the attacks come faster and hit deeper,” she said. “Behind screens, some feel emboldened to unleash hatred they would never voice in person. The aim is clear: to silence, to intimidate, to shrink women’s voices.”

Despite the abuse, Cllr Tolan said she would not be deterred from raising issues affecting her community.

“But here’s what misogyny misunderstands,” she said. “Women do not break that easily. Women in public life show up again and again, even when it’s hard.”

She said speaking out was important not just for those currently in public life, but for younger generations watching from the sidelines.

“Our courage becomes the path for the next generation,” she said. “That has never been more important than it is now.”

The comments followed Cllr Tolan’s calls for urgent action to address accelerating coastal erosion along the Laytown–Bettystown coastline, which she said is now threatening public infrastructure and public safety.

During a recent on-site inspection in Laytown, she highlighted the proximity of erosion to public lighting and footpaths. In one location, a public lighting pole was observed leaning towards the sea, just metres from the eroding edge.

“Our coastline is disappearing before our eyes,” she said. “Every week we delay puts public safety, public infrastructure and, in many instances, people’s homes at greater risk.”

Cllr Tolan warned that continued inaction could lead to the loss of vital infrastructure, increased risks for pedestrians and beach users, higher repair costs, and further loss of public land and amenity space.

“Storms are hitting our coastline with greater frequency and intensity,” she said. “The evidence is right in front of us — the land is slipping away and infrastructure is being left dangerously exposed.”

She is urging Meath County Council and relevant national bodies to fast-track assessments, approvals and funding so that long-delayed coastal protection works can be delivered without further delay.

“Our community deserves a safe, secure and protected coastline,” she said. “We owe it to residents, businesses and future generations to act now, before the damage becomes irreversible.”

Cllr Tolan also urged people to call out misogyny wherever it occurs and to stand with women who put themselves forward for public life.

“When women’s voices are silenced,” she said, “democracy suffers.”